Table of Contents
A collection of prayers for the everyday that can be used in the classroom. Some of them I've learnt from others (but sadly can't ascribe authorship ... thank you to those who have taught me to pray them), some of them I have written myself.
You can use these prayers for yourself or to help you model prayer in class. If you're teaching your students to pray but the prayer uses the first person singular, please remember to make it first person plural!
Prayers for Today
The Lord’s Prayer
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever, Amen.
A prayer for starting the day OR a prayer for listening to God’s word.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
O Lord,
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
A prayer for listening to God’s word.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Teach me your ways, Lord, that I may follow you always.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
For in you are found wisdom and knowledge and life forever, Amen.
OR
Gracious God,
Incline my heart to you;
Open my mind to understand your word;
Unite my will with yours; and
Satisfy my soul. Amen.
A prayer for when we need to apologise
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2
Be kind and merciful to me, O God,
because you are compassionate and abounding in love.
Please forgive me for the wrong I have done,
because your son, Jesus Christ, suffered in my place.
Blot out my sins and remember them no more,
and help me to obey your commandments, Amen.
A prayer for right knowledge and true discernment
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
Lord, giver of life,
May our love for you, and for all creation, grow with knowledge and depth of insight, so that we might know how to live wisely in your world, and look forward to the day when you will make all things new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
